Welcome!
Orientation at SAPL is a series of events, workshops and information sessions where students can learn about what to expect during the fall and winter semesters. Mandatory health and safety training for the workshop is provided.
Most of the program is for new student orientation.
Returning students who started in Fall 2020 are invited to attend a welcome/training program. Details at the bottom of the page (below the main agenda).
In adherence to UCalgary's commitment to promoting a healthy and safe learning, working, and living environment, non-medical face masks must now be worn in all public indoor areas where physical distancing of 2 metres is not possible. Learn more about the University's COVID-19 response.
New Students Orientation Schedule
New Student Check-In & All Student Coffee Station
Stantec Gallery PF 2145
8:00am-9:00am
Indigenous Welcome Song and Indigenous Approach Presentation
PF 2130
9:00am-10:30am
Welcome from SAPL Dean John Brown
Land Acknowledgement, Prayer and Smudge from First Nations Elder
SAPL & Campus Tours
Stantec Gallery PF 2145
10:30am-12:00pm
Campus tours led by student volunteers.
New Student Pizza Lunch
PF 2130
12:00pm-1:00pm
Welcome from Dean John Brown, Catherine Hamel, Enrica Dall'Ara and Barry Wylant
Remarks from Joshua Taron (CBDLab)
Information from GSA, Career Services and AEDE
All New Student Workshop Training and Intro Laser Training
PF 2130
1:00pm-4:30pm
This is mandatory for all new students who did not complete the previous week-long workshop trainings (August 16-20th or August 23-27th).
Tuesday Aug 31
FND Yr ARCH Student Workshop Woodshop Training
Workshop
10:30am-12:30pm
This is mandatory for foundation year architecture students who did not complete the previous week-long workshop trainings (August 16-20th or August 23-27th).
Library Introduction
PF 2160
1:00pm-2:00pm
Hear from SAPL's own expert librarian, James Murphy, Taylor Family Digital Library, about how to access eBooks, search architecture databases, use Lab NEXT's VR and access visualization, audiovisual and maker spaces. You will also learn about Western Canada's largest collection of architectural history, the Canadian Architectural Archives and the data and maps experts at Spatial and Numeric Data Services.
Health & Ethics Presentations
PF 2160
2:15pm-3:15pm
Dr. William Yimbo, Education Specialist in the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Megan McKay, RSW (she/her), Student Support Advisor, Student Wellness Services
Presentations will be 30 minutes each.
CFD Fire Training
Online
3:30pm-4:30pm
This is a mandatory session. All students are expected to attend.
Meeting ID: 984 4078 0961
Wednesday Sep 1
M1 & ARST Minors Yr ARCH Student Workshop Woodshop Training
12:45pm-2:45pm
Workshop
This is mandatory for M1 Architecture and ARST Minor students who did not complete the previous week-long workshop trainings (August 16-20th or August 23-27th).
SAPL Symposium
Online
3:00pm–5:00pm
Showcase of SAPL Faculty and Sessional Instructors. Hear about their research, interest areas, and projects in a selection of 30 minute sessions.
3:00pm-3:30pm
- Doug Leighton, Planning (Sessional Instructor)
- Alicia Nahmad Vazquez, Architecture
- Bev Sandalack, Landscape Architecture
- Sasha Tsenkova, Planning
3:45pm-4:15pm
- Francisco Alaniz Uribe, Planning
- George Harris, Landscape Architecture
- Joseli Macedo, Planning
- Mauricio Soto-Rubio, Architecture
4:30pm-5:00pm
- Alberto de Salvatierra, Architecture
- Teresa Goldstein, Planning (Sessional Instructor)
- Enrica Dall’Ara, Landscape Architecture
- Sumer Matharu, Architecture (Sessional Instructor)
We kindly ask you to RSVP, there is a link on the RSVP page to each speaker's bio.
You can join the SAPL Symposium via this Zoom link → (Meeting ID: 980 6487 1356) and will be able to select the breakout room for the speaker of your choice.
Thursday Sep 2
Health and Wellness Presentation
Online
8:30am-9:00am
Megan McKay, RSW (she/her), Student Support Advisor, Student Wellness Services
Hear about UCalgary's Wellness services and offerings
No registration required. Meeting ID: 991 8368 0042
Alumni Practitioner Panel
Online
9:00am-10:00am
This Alumni Practitioner Panel will highlight the work and journeys of three esteemed alumni. They will share with students how this program became an asset for their future career.
Facilitator: Vivian Ton, Master of Architecture Candidate (2022), Graduate Research Assistant
Alumni Panelists:
- Kristi Beunder, Township Planning + Design Inc., 1995
- Alexia Caron-Roy, City of Calgary, 2018
- Grace Coulter, Lemay, 2011
We kindly ask you to RSVP, there is a link on the RSVP page to each speaker's bio. You can join the Alumni Practitioner Panel via this Zoom link → (Meeting ID: 935 7323 2323).
MLA & MPLan Workshop Woodshop Training Competency Project
Workshop
10:00am-12:45pm
This is mandatory for all MLA and MPlan students who did not complete the previous week-long workshop trainings (August 16-20th or August 23-27th).
Break & Travel to CBDLab
1:00pm-2:00pm
CBDLab Afternoon of Activities
CBDLab
616 Macleod Trail S | City Hall C-Train Stop
2:00pm-5:00pm
Students may choose 3-4 activities in and around the City Building Design Lab to learn more about the area, facility, equipment and each other.
We kindly ask you to register for your selected activities via the Sign Up page.
Please use caution to note the time of each selection, to avoid double booking yourself. There is limited capacity in each activity. Masks will be required to participate.
SAPL Dean's Dinner
CBDLab
616 Macleod Trail S | City Hall C-Train Stop
5:00pm
As SAPL returns to campus and the City Building Design Lab, we invite you all to join us for an evening to welcome you back and welcome our new incoming students to SAPL.
- Reception 5:00pm
- Dinner 5:45pm
- Remarks from SAPLSA President
- Remarks from Dean John Brown
- Mingling and cheer
Cash bar. Casual to business casual dress code.
Registration required to attend. Due to capacity limitations, this will be an internal event only. Registration open to SAPL Faculty, Staff, and all students.
Friday Sep 3
3D Modeling Rhino & Sketchup Tutorial
Online
8:30am-9:45am
We kindly ask you to RSVP. You can join the Tutorials via this Zoom Link → (Meeting ID: 913 6753 9194).
Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop Tutorial
Online
9:45am-11:00am
We kindly ask you to RSVP. You can join the Tutorials via this Zoom Link → (Meeting ID: 927 8191 4854).
Engagement Activity
In-Person
Between 11:30am-5:00pm
Select an engagement activity. Program timing will vary depending on selection. Click below to learn more and sign up.
SAPL Student Association Mixer
The Black Lounge
MacEwan Hall | 2500 University Drive NW
7:00pm
All SAPL Students Welcome (all programs, all years)! The registration page will be updated as we get closer to the event.
Returning 2020 Admit Students Orientation Schedule
Monday Aug 30
Check-In & Coffee Station
Stantec Gallery PF 2145
9:30am-10:30am
SAPL & Campus Tours
Stantec Gallery PF 2145
10:30am-12:00pm
Tuesday Aug 31
Returning Student Pizza Lunch
PF 2130
12:00pm-1:00pm*
RSVP →
All Returning 2020 Admit Students Workshop Intro Laser Training
PF 2130
1:00pm-3:30pm
This is mandatory for students (MArch, MLA & MPlan) who did not complete the previous week-long workshop trainings (August 16-20th or August 23-27th).
CFD Fire Training
PF 2130 and Online
3:30pm-4:30pm
Students who participated in the Workshop Intro Laser Training can remain in PF 2130 to watch the CFD Fire Training presentation from the classroom. Otherwise, please join us online. This is a mandatory session. You can access the session via this Zoom Link → (Meeting ID: 984 4078 0961).
Wednesday Sept 1
Returning Students M1 Workshop Intro Woodshop and Project Intro Training
Workshop
9am-12pm
This is mandatory for all returning M1 (MArch & MLA admitted to Foundation Year in 2020) students who did not complete the previous week-long workshop trainings (August 16-20th or August 23-27th).
SAPL Symposium (Optional but available to those who are interested)
Online
3:00pm–5:00pm
Showcase of SAPL Faculty and Sessional Instructors. Hear about their research, interest areas, and projects in a selection of 30 minute sessions.
3:00pm-3:30pm
- Doug Leighton, Planning (Sessional Instructor)
- Alicia Nahmad Vazquez, Architecture
- Bev Sandalack, Landscape Architecture
- Sasha Tsenkova, Planning
3:45pm-4:15pm
- Francisco Alaniz Uribe, Planning
- George Harris, Landscape Architecture
- Joseli Macedo, Landscape Architecture
- Mauricio Soto-Rubio, Architecture
4:30pm-5:00pm
- Alberto de Salvatierra, Architecture
- Teresa Goldstein, Planning (Sessional Instructor)
- Enrica Dall’Ara, Landscape Architecture
- Sumer Matharu, Architecture (Sessional Instructor)
We kindly ask you to RSVP, there is a link on the RSVP page to each speaker's bio.
You can join the SAPL Symposium via this Zoom link → (Meeting ID: 980 6487 1356) and will be able to select the breakout room for the speaker of your choice.
Thursday Sept 2
Alumni Practitioner Panel (Optional but available to those who are interested)
Online
9:00am-10:00am
This Alumni Practitioner Panel will highlight the work and journeys of three esteemed alumni. They will share with students how this program became an asset for their future career.
Facilitator: Vivian Ton, Master of Architecture Candidate (2022), Graduate Research Assistant
Alumni Panelists:
- Kristi Beunder, Township Planning + Design Inc., 1995
- Alexia Caron-Roy, City of Calgary, 2018
- Grace Coulter, Lemay, 2011
We kindly ask you to RSVP, there is a link on the RSVP page to each speaker's bio. You can join the Alumni Practitioner Panel via this Zoom link → (Meeting ID: 935 7323 2323).
Returning M2 Student Workshop Woodshop & Project Intro Training
Workshop
2:00pm-4:30pm
This is mandatory for all returning M2/Senior (MArch & MPlan) students who did not complete the previous week-long workshop trainings (August 16-20th or August 23-27th).
Travel to CBDLab
4:30pm-5:00pm
Dean's Dinner
CBDLab
616 Macleod Trail S | City Hall C-Train Stop
5:00pm
As SAPL returns to campus and the City Building Design Lab, we invite you all to join us for an evening to welcome you back and welcome our new incoming students to SAPL.
- Reception 5:00pm
- Dinner 5:45pm
Cash bar. Registration required to attend. Due to capacity limitations, this will be an internal event only. Registration open to SAPL Faculty, Staff, and all students.
Friday Sep 3
SAPL Student Association Mixer
The Black Lounge
MacEwan Hall | 2500 University Drive NW
7:00pm
All SAPL Students Welcome (all programs, all years)! The registration page will be updated as we get closer to the event.